Grant Writing Guidance - National FFA Organization

LTS: Environmental Grants
Informational Webinar
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved by National FFA Organization.
PowerPoint Topics
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Overview of grant
Review of service-learning
Project examples
Overview of application
Grant writing & Budget
guidance
• Additional grant resources
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved by National FFA Organization.
Overview
• The LTS: Environmental Grant Program
is in its 3rd year of funding
• Provided through funding from CSX
• Middle School, High School & Collegiate
FFA chapters are eligible to apply
• Alumni chapters can serve as the fiscal agent and
help a chapter write a grant. However, they cannot
be the official applicant.
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Overview
• Due May 30
• May apply for up to $2,000
• Supports year-long service-learning
projects related to environmental issues
• Can be used to support a current
project, as long as it meets the
guidelines
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What is Service-Learning?
• Members utilize knowledge and skills
learned in the classroom to meet a
community need – hands on learning
• Occur over the course of a year
• Engages youth in all stages of the
project
• Creates reciprocal partnerships
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Project Examples
• Wildlife conservation
– Develop habitats to increase animal populations
• Land preservation
– Watershed rehabilitation
• Environmental education and stewardship
– Water monitoring and improvement
• Recycling and composting
– Create a school, district, or community-wide
recycling and/or composting program
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved by National FFA Organization.
Non-allowable Projects
• Garden or other food production grants
– Projects focused on environmental issues
related to gardens, such as rain collection
and composting, will be accepted
• General landscaping or beautification
grants will not be accepted
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Successful Application & Project
• Outlines a feasible project to run from
August 2014 through June 2015
• Provides service to the community,
not just for the FFA members
• Includes educational outreach to the
community to aid in sustainability
• Demonstrates impact
• Involves FFA members at all stages
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Applications Process
www.FFA.org/envirogrants
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved by National FFA Organization.
Applications Process
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved by National FFA Organization.
Application Overview
Page 1 – Grant Info
Page 2 - Chapter Information
Page 3 - Project Narratives
o Recommend completing the narratives
in a Word document and then copy
and pasting into the corresponding
answer field.
Page 4 – Timeline & Budget
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved by National FFA Organization.
Grant Writing Guidance
Project Description–an overview of the
project
• Overview of how your chapter plans to meet an
environmental need in your community. Should
clearly summarize information from each of the
application sections
• Minimum 200 words
• Suggest writing last because it is an overview of
entire project
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved by National FFA Organization.
Grant Writing Guidance
Environmental Need
• Provide a short description of the environmental
need in your community that you will address
• Include statistics to support need - Wikipedia,
Natural Resources Defense Council, local or state
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or Dept. Of
Environmental Management, local papers, etc.
• Minimum 50 words
Community Partners
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Describe potential community partners and their
roles in the project
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Grant Writing Guidance
Educational Outreach
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Describe the educational outreach that your chapter
will include as part of this project. Educational outreach
ensures that chapters are not just “giving a man a fish,”
but also “teaching a man to fish.” Include the type of
outreach, topics that will be covered, the frequency of
outreach and potential audience.
Minimum 50 words
Example: Our chapter will host four workshops on recycling over
the grant period. Three workshops will be hosted for elementary
students and one workshop will be held for middle school
students. We will teach the students what recycling is and how
they can participate. All workshops will be held at the
participating schools.
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Grant Writing Guidance
Measurable Outcomes
• Required to have
o 1 Educational Outreach Outcome
o 1 Project Outcome
• Chapters may also include up to 2 additional
outcomes for a total of 4
• Need to measure impact on community
• Outcomes need to MATCH information from
Narratives!
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Grant Writing Guidance
Educational Outreach Outcome
Step 1 - Choose the educational outcome that best fits
your projects outreach efforts.
• # of workshops/events/forums conducted and # of
workshop attendees
• # of informational materials distributed to
community (i.e. flyers, brochures etc.)
• # of participants who utilize new skills at home (i.e.
composting)
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Grant Writing Guidance
Ed. Outreach Outcome Additional Information
Step 2 - Provide information on the chosen outcome
• Target audience (choose ALL that apply)
• Educational outreach topic(s)
• Anticipated numerical goal(s)
• Evaluation Tool
Example - # of workshops/events/forums/conducted and # of
workshop attendees
• Elementary students
• Composting 101
• 4 workshops, 70 total participants
• Agendas and sign-in sheets will be created for each workshop
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved by National FFA Organization.
Grant Writing Guidance
Project Outcome
This outcome must measure the project's impact on
the greater community. Ensure that the outcome is
SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and
Time bound). In addition, detail how the outcome will
be measured.
Example: Project Measurable Outcome: Build 6 new osprey nests
to be placed throughout the coast by the end of the 2014-15
school year. Project Outcome Evaluation Tool(s): Photograph
building process and create map with GPS locations of new maps.
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved by National FFA Organization.
Grant Writing Guidance
Additional Outcomes (optional)
Chapter's may choose to write up to 2 additional
outcomes. These outcomes must also measure the
project's impact on the greater community. Ensure that
the outcomes are SMART (Specific, Measurable,
Attainable, Realistic and Time bound). In addition,
detail how the outcomes will be measured.
Example: Clear evasive species plant from 2 acres of
land by June 2015.
Tool: Students will map pre and post coverage of
evasive plant.
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Grant Writing Guidance
Timeline
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Detailed monthly timeline of activities
August 2014 through June 2015
Include information on activities related to:
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major learning or service days
marketing
educational outreach
meeting measurable outcomes
Include information on major purchases in budget
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Timeline Example
August
• Receive grant funds and begin project
• Students will create educational signage for around school and
community
September
• Recycling containers will be purchased
• Students will contact local media with project information
• Waste Management County agents will make visits to classes and discuss
how to properly handle recyclable materials
October
• Distribute recycling containers around schools
• Co-share an educational booth on paper bins and general recycle
information during the county fair
• Students will post project updates to Blog and Facebook
• FFA members will collect and weigh materials put in the recycling bins
• Meet with city to plan first electronic waste recycling event
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Budget Form Instructions
• Download budget worksheet from
application website (Excel Doc)
• Complete the budget worksheet and
"save as" to your desktop. Ask one of
your members for help if needed
• Name the document
StateInitials_ChapterName_Budget
Example: IN_SmithvilleFFA_Budget
• Upload the budget worksheet to the
upload field.
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Budget Guidance
Nonexpendable Equipment Costs - Items having a useful life of more than one year.
Examples include small tools, camera, tiller, etc.
*Item Name, Description of Use, Quantity, Unit Cost, Total
Materials and Supplies - Expendable items having a useful life up to one year. Examples
include educational outreach materials, water testing kits, etc.
*Item Name, Description of Use, Quantity, Unit Cost, Total
Marketing and Communication - Any materials used for advertising or publicizing the
project. Examples include brochures, flyers, etc.
*Item Name, Description of Use, Quantity, Unit Cost, Total
Travel - Costs to travel to sites related to project outcomes. Examples include travel to service
sites, presentations, etc.
*Destination, Reason for Trip, # of Miles, Cost Per Mile, Total
Miscellaneous - Any other anticipated costs that are not included above. Examples include,
equipment rental, substitute teacher pay, etc.
*Item Name, Description of Use, Quantity, Unit Cost, Total
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Budget Guidance
• Maximum amount that can be requested is $2,000
• Fill in information at top of worksheet (State,
Chapter Name, Advisor Name)
• Be specific and quantifiable for line items
• Ensure that items listed in your budget are
discussed in your grant narratives
• No one item with a unit price over $1,000 is
allowed
o Non-Allowable Example: 1 Compost Tumbler @
$1,100
o Allowable Example: 24 recycle bins @ $50 = $1,200
(total is over $1,000, but unit cost is under)
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved by National FFA Organization.
Budget Guidance
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Round Unit Costs/Quantity to reach whole
numbers
o In the case of mileage - find a close # of
miles that gives you a whole number
o If there will be tax to purchase items,
include it in the unit cost. However, still be
sure to make the unit cost a whole
number.
• Ensure the TOTAL amount equals a whole
dollar amount
Correct: $1,800 Incorrect: $1,800.67
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Grant Writing Guidance cont.
Non-allowable expenses:
• No ONE item over $1,000
• Stipends or scholarships to students or the
chapter
• Indirect costs (i.e. cost to administer funds)
• Acquisition or construction of permanent
buildings
• Travel to/from National Convention or other
state/national trainings
• T-shirts, food, and giveaways
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved by National FFA Organization.
Budget Guidance
Allowable expenses:
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Substitute teacher pay
Transportation to and from service sites
Copying/ Marketing costs
Educational outreach materials
Vegetation – Ex: trees, bushes, etc.
Other expendable materials – Ex: animals, etc.
Small Equipment Purchase - Ex: Camera, GPS, tools, etc
Portable storage
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved by National FFA Organization.
Final 2 Questions of Application
• If awarded, may a sponsor contact you to
serve as a community partner as part of
your LTS: Environmental Grant?
• Provide a short (2-4 sentences) overview of
your project that can be shared on our
Community Walks interactive map if awarded.
o Limit 50 words
Example: Sample FFA is creating a school-wide recycling program to
reduce the amount of trash entering the local landfill. In addition, the chapter
will hold workshops for each grade level on what to recycle and the
importance of recycling.
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved by National FFA Organization.
Other Resources on the website
• Program Timeline
• Application Guidance
• 2013-14 Program Impacts Report
• Scoring Rubric
www.ffa.org/envirogrants
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved by National FFA Organization.
Reminder
Applications
Due
May 30
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved by National FFA Organization.
Contact us with questions!
www.ffa.org/envirogrants
Kayla Lumpford-Mitchell: 317-802-4267
Stefonie Sebastian: 317-802-4462
[email protected]
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved by National FFA Organization.